In his Dec. 8 “State of the Program and Strategic Vision” zoom presentation regarding the UMass football program, UMass Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford quotes Southern Methodist University President Gerald Turner. Said Turner, “Football is the front porch of the university-it shapes how the public sees the institution.”
I find that a rather startling comment by Dr. Turner, but knowing how important football is in certain parts of this country, I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. That said, I know that UMass is seen as a fine academic school, and expect that that’s how the public sees it. I find it hard to imagine people ever seeing football anywhere near the front porch of UMass, and I don’t say that because of the difficulties the program has had. It is troubling to me that UMass AD would highlight such a statement by a college president in his presentation.
George Anderson
Northampton